We all deal with stress in our lives, whether that's from school, work, friends, relationships, etc. Once the stress starts to develop, sometimes it can be hard to control before it swallows us whole. As a college student, stress is something I deal with on a daily basis. I use these seven practices to relieve stress in my own life and I hope that you can apply these to your life as well.
1. Listen to Music
Music is the ultimate way to relax and unwind. Not only does it entertain you, but it takes those thoughts off of your mind for awhile. Instead of being focused on life's problems, you are focusing on the sweet melody and lyrics. Any type of music will work, but when you find the genre that works, make a playlist and save it to use again later on.
2. Get Up and Get Moving
Physical activity is absolutely one of the best ways to relieve stress. When you get your blood flowing, your body produces endorphins - a chemical in the brain - that act as natural painkillers. Since hard or extended physical activity tends to wear you out, your body will fall asleep faster and reduce the risk of staying awake due to stress. I find dance to be my stress reliever and once I get moving, I feel like I am lifted up into the clouds. The world around me disappears and the only thing that matters is the beat. I encourage you to experiment with different forms of physical activity and find what works best for you!
3. 10-Count Breathing
Since we live busy lives on the daily, we don't always have time to listen to music or dance. As much as I want to bust out a move before a presentation, I don't think my professor would approve. Instead, I will breathe for 10 counts. Just take a moment to pause and focus on yourself. Take one deep breath, let it out, and then repeat 9 more times. I like to count my breaths as I'm going, but this step is optional. This is so easy and gives you the chance to find your center of balance again. Even though this is great for stress, it is also a good mind relaxer after a long, hard day. It helps you to unwind and be ready for the next part of the day.
4. Power Talks
Have you ever stood in front of a mirror and complimented yourself? Praised yourself? I sure have and I call these power talks. Basically, you stand in front of a mirror, take a deep breath, then say something to motivate yourself. This can be anything from "You look great today!" to "You are a female warrior!" Come up with some sort of statement to give yourself that little boost of confidence. I find this extremely helpful before an interview because while I'm nervous, I also know that "I am capable of anything." Do not feel embarrassed to partake in power talks because I'm sure there are plenty of people who do it too. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
5. Write It Down
If you have never carried a journal before or even wrote in one, I highly recommend giving this stress reliever a try. This is a favorite of mine and I do it quite often. At the end of the day or in between classes, sit down and write about your day. What is bothering you? Why? What can you do to fix it? This will give you the opportunity to analyze the stress and realize what's causing it. Hopefully, from doing this, you will be able to find a way to solve the problem and eliminate the stress from reoccurring.
6. Indulge in a Good Book
Reading is an excellent way to relieve stress. Instead of focusing on your life, you focus on the lives of the book characters. You are transported into a whole new world and all of life's problems are pushed to the side. I find it beneficial to read at least a couple chapters at the end of the day to unwind and relax before a good night's rest. You definitely don't want to go to bed stressed, so find a good way to relax.
7. Talk to Someone About It
Even though it's easy to keep all your problems bottled up, it's definitely not healthy. Depending on the situation, it can be more beneficial to talk to someone and get their advice. Think about all the people in your life. Who of those people would be a good person to confide in? I turn to my mom 90% of the time and she has helped me through so many problems. I know not everyone wants to tell their parents their problems, but that doesn't mean you can't find someone else. You could always turn to a roommate, best friend, manager, or even a professor. If someone let you into their life, they will more than likely be willing to listen and help out. You might not always like what that person has to say, but sometimes it's the honest truth.
There are many more ways you can relieve stress, but these seven are the ones that work for me. I hope that these techniques work as well for you as they do for me. Always remember that you can achieve anything you set your mind to and keep on smiling!
